Soon You May Be Charged to Drive Your Car in Congested Dubai!
A ground-breaking new traffic rule may be harder on the resident’s pocket.
Are you hoping to get around the heavy vehicular traffic in Dubai? City authorities might soon force you to do so - by levying a “congestion charge”. Yes, if you insist on driving your car in the city, you might have to cough up a certain amount to do so. And that’s apart from the hiked tolls and parking fares. The rationale behind this likely new initiative is to reduce traffic jams and air pollution. Bearing testament to this strategy are other bustling cities like Milan, London, Stockholm, Singapore and San Diego.
The Proof
In fact, London charges 15 pounds for cars travelling in busy central areas during peak hours. This payable period extends from 7 am to 6 pm through the work week and between 12 noon and 6 in the evening on weekends. Such restrictions are reaping benefits that Stockholm in particular, will attest to. Yes, Sweden’s capital has taken more than a fifth of its cars off the road and diminished 15 per cent of exhaust pollution in the process. Such a key observation comes courtesy town planner Aileen Llagas.
The Roadblocks
But in order for this ambitious new plan to hit the road, certain variables need to be taken into account. For instance, most drivers of cars, who are headed for offices and other work places, need to have flexible job timings. They also need to have alternate and inviting routes that they can take to and from work. These are the obstacles that top Engineering Professor Monica Menendez observes, including the issue of easily acessible and far-reaching other modes of transport.
The Possible Solutions
Ms. Llagas has come up with some viable suggestions if people are still disposed to using cars. This smart lady thinks that lower or no charges for car-pools, and designated lanes for the same, can go a long way in reducing the burden on the roads. Furthermore, MA-Traffic Consulting Founder Dr. Mostafa Al Dah says that since getting a car in the UAE is easier than in Europe and the cost and insurance is lower in the Gulf country, these trends can be reversed to dissuade prospective car-buyers.
Concurrent Mass Transit Development Required
In an addition to disincentives for car drivers, there is an urgent need for more public transport in Dubai. Plans are in the pipeline to increase the city’s metro stations by 50 per cent and thus, take on 45 per cent of daily commuters. But this will take till 2030 to reach fruition, while having to keep pace with so-called “emerging neighbourhoods”. Plus, most buses across the city follow circuitous routes which consequently do not attract too many would-be passengers. It appears Dubai’s Road Transport Authority (RTA) should take the driver’s seat and change gears quickly in heading towards more fluidity across the city.
